Cover with replaceable covering material

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a device for forming a cover for pots and pans and the like. The device is comprised of a metal frame having a cross member forming a handle. A non-flammable deformable material is placed under the frame and wrapped about the frame to form the cover.

United States Patent i191 Carter I Dec. 24, 1974 [5 COVER WITH REPLACEABLE COVERING MATERIAL [76] Inventor: Fay G. Carter, San Jose, Calif.

[22] Filed: Oct. 10, 1973 [2]] Appl. N0.: 405,154

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation of Ser. No. 207,483, Dec. 13, 1971,

abandoned.

7220/2 2201 R, /95, I 229/ MF [51] Int. Cl. B6511 51/02, A47j 36/06 [58] Field of Search 220/24 R, 95, R, 85 H; 229/35 MF [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,194,429 7/1965 Bouet 220/ 3528236 9/1970 Mcrrick 220/24 R Primary ExaminerGeorge E. Lowrance Attorney, Agent, or FirmEdward M, Suden [57] ABSTRACT The invention relates to a device for forming a cover for pots and pans and the'lik e. The device is comprised of a metal frame having a cross member forming a handle. A non-flammable deformable material is placed under the frame and wrapped about the frame to form the cover. Y

2 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures COVER WITH REPLACEABLE COVERING MATERIAL This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 207,483 filed Dec. 13, 1971, now-abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field'of the Invention The invention relates to a device for forming a cover for pots and pans and the like. More specifically, the invention relates to a frame and a disposable, nonflammable, deformable material wrappable about the frame to form a cover for use in cooking.

Prior Art Covers used in cooking are known; however, all have the disadvantage of having to be cleaned after use. The cleaning process varies in difficulty as the cover varies in material and shape.

' Prior art covers having a wire mesh for the covering ferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 shows the frame of FIG. 2 atop the covering material of the preferred embodiment of the invention. FIG. ,4 shows the covering material of FIG. 3

I wrapped about the frame of FIG. 2 to form the cover material is difficult to clean and these do not prevent splattering entirely during such cooking operations as frying. v

Another problem with covers for pots and pans is in the insulating of the handle, such that the user does not get burned from the handle. The common solution to this problem is the use of well-known insulating material about the handle or as handle of the cover.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a new cover for pots and pans having a disposable material for the covering portion of the cover.

Another objective of the invention is to provide a I new cover comprised of a frame and adeformable replaceable heat resistant covering material.

Still another objective of the invention is to provide a new cover comprised of a frame having a cross memher for forming a handle that allows use of the cover without the use of heatresistance material as the handle. Briefly, the invention iscomprised of a metal frame. The frame is of desired shape and size to be used with a respective pot or pan. The frame contains a cross member which is used to define a handle and to give strength to the frame structure. A replaceable, deformable, non-flammable material is wrapped about the frame to form the. area covering portion of the cover. It has been found that if an aluminum foil is used as the covering material and the cross member is made of steel and welded to the frame, that the handle formed A by the cross member remains cool to touch during the entire cooking operation.

The invention has the advantage of ease of cleaning since only the covering portion of the cover is contaminated and this is removed and disposed of as trash.

Another advantage of the invention'is that the frame portion of the cover is light and easily stored.

of the preferred embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIGS. 1 a, b and c show the top, side and front views respectively of the frame of the invention. It should be realized that the size and shape is not critical, that is, the frame may be circular, square or .rectangular. The overall dimensions are dictated by the pot or pan that the cover is to be used with. Generally the outer dimension. of the frame is slightly less than the normal dimension of the cover to allow for the covering material.

The outer frame I is made of metal such as steel or aluminum. The outer framematerial is in the form of wire, having a circular cross section so as to avoid sharp corners. If it is desired, however, a non-circular cross section may be used, but at an increased probability that damage will be done to the covering material when it is wrapped about the outer frame 1.

A cross member 2 is connected to the outer frame 1 to form the total frame. Cross member 2 is of the same material as the outer frame in the preferred embodiment. The material of the cross member need not be the same material, however, as long as the two materijoined to cross member 2 by welding or any other appropriate joining procedure.

Cross member 2 is shaped so as to provide a handle for the total frame when joined to the outer frame as shown in: FIG. 2. Generally only one cross member 2 is needed with any given outer frame, however, it may be desired in large covers to have two or more cross members for providing one or more handles and adding strength to this frame structure.

FIG. 3 shows a covering material 3 placed beneath the frame. Covering material 3 is a non-flammable, deformable, replaceable material such as aluminum foil. The covering material is wrapped about the outer frame 1 of the frame to form a smooth bottom of the cover formed by the frame and covering material. The handle portion of cross'member'2 is not covered by the covering material 3 as shown in FIG. 4.

It has been found that a cover using aluminum foil as thecovering material, and steel for the outer frame and cross member of the frame, that the handle portion of the cross member remains comfortable to the touch and does not rise in temperature to a degree to necessitate the use of pot holders or the like. It has also been forming the handle portion of the cover.

When cooking operation is over, the covering material is removed from the frame and disposed of as trash.

The frame due to its lightness and open structure allows a number of frames to be easily stacked with the use of minimum space.

It if is desired, the covering material may be perforated either before or during the cooking operation to thereby allow the food to steam. Therefore, the cover becomes a multipurpose type easily adaptable to any cooking operation.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described withreference to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What I claim is:

l. A cover for pots and pans consisting of:

a frame consisting of an outer circular frame having a circular cross-section and a cross member extending along. the diameter of said outer circular frame and attached at both ends to said outer circular frame, said cross member being formed into a handle at one location along the length of said cross member, said handle being perpendicular to said outer circular .frame; and

a replaceable, disposable deformable, non-flamable covering material repla'ceably wrapped about said frame to form the covering of said cover, said covering material maintaining its own shape after being wrapped about said frame so as to maintain itself onto said frame; and 7 said handle extending above said covering material.

2. A cover for pots and pans consisting of:

a frame consisting of a steel outer circular frame having a circular cross-section and a steel cross member extending along the diameter of said outer frame and welded to said outer frame, said cross members being formed into a handle at one loca tion along the length of said outer frame, said hana moderate temperature when said cover is used during a cooking process. 

1. A cover for pots and pans consisting of: a frame consisting of an outer circular frame having a circular cross-section and a cross member extending along the diameter of said outer circular frame and attached at both ends to said outer circular frame, said cross member being formed into a handle at one location along the length of said cross member, said handle being perpendicular to said outer circular frame; and a replaceable, disposable deformable, non-flamable covering material replaceably wrapped about said frame to form the covering of said cover, said covering material maintaining its own shape after being wrapped about said frame so as to maintain itself onto said frame; and said handle extending above said covering material.
 2. A cover for pots and pans consisting of: a frame consisting of a steel outer circular frame having a circular cross-section and a steel cross member extending along the diameter of said outer frame and welded to said outer frame, said cross members being formed into a handle at one location along the length of said outer frame, said handle being perpendicular to said outer frame; a replaceable, disposable, deformable, non-flamable covering material of aluminum foil wrapped about said frame to form the covering of said cover so as to support itself upon the frame; said handle extending above said covering material; and said aluminum foil and said frame coacting so as to maintain said cross member, forming said handle at a moderate temperature when said cover is used during a cooking process. 